2008 Annual Report - Queensland Police Service - Queensland ...

Award for Shem
‘It took five seconds to change my life forever
and it took five seconds to end a life. ’
For Shem Aitken, this sentence sums up a tragic single
vehicle crash on the Gold Coast in 2004, which saw
him become a paraplegic and his friend, who was
driving, killed.
However, in his own words he has chosen ‘to make
the best out of a bad situation’ and was recently
presented the Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation
for his involvement in road safety initiatives.
The recognition came following Shem’s involvement
as a spokesperson for the 2007 Easter Road Safety
Campaign which focused on young drivers.
Shem also regularly speaks to school students about
road safety awareness and participated in the 2006
Queensland Road Safety Summit providing input to
new laws about P-Plates.
Shem has a positive outlook, and has used his
personal circumstances to demonstrate to his peers
how trauma on the roads can change life forever.
Shem said he was realistic about his goal. He could
not stop all serious road crashes, but wanted to reduce
them and hoped he could make young drivers aware
of the outcomes of irresponsible driving.
‘Before the crash I thought I was ten feet tall and
bullet proof. I was naïve towards what could happen’
he said. ‘I spent eight months in hospital and I vowed
to spend my time promoting road awareness. I don’t
want to see anyone else in the same position as me.’
Shem Aitken, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Commissioner Bob Atkinson for his involvement in road safety
initiatives.
Output3: Traffic Management
With honour we serve 47